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5 things you need to know Monday

USA Today Network USA Today, USAToday 7:56 a.m. EST February 10, 2014

Don't know what to say to that guy who sits at the cube in back? Try one of these 5 things as a conversation starter.

A dog competes in the Agility Ring during the First-ever Masters Agility Championship on February 8, 2014 in New York at the 138th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Dogs entered in the Agility trial will be on hand to demonstrate skills required to negotiate some of the challenging obstacles that they will need to negotiate. AFP PHOTO/Timothy Clary (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY AFP/Getty Images)

The four-legged version of the Olympics starts today with the Westminster Kennel Club's dog show in New York. Mutts for the first time participated in the weekend agility test, but the traditional breed judging goes through Tuesday. See usatoday.com/sports.

Justice Dept. will extend benefits to same-sex couples

In a major victory for same-sex marriage rights, the Justice Department has announced it will grant married gay and lesbian couples the same rights in legal matters as other married couples. The Justice Department will issue a memo today to its employees instructing them to give lawful same-sex marriages full and equal recognition to the greatest extent possible under the law.

Obama to host French president

President Obama is hosting French President Francois Hollande this week, though it comes with its own unusual dynamic that the White House couldn't have anticipated when it announced plans to honor Hollande more than two months ago. Hollande, who will begin his state visit with Obama on today with a trip to Thomas Jefferson's picturesque estate at Monticello, arrives on the heels of his recent announcement that he's split with his companion and France's first lady Valérie Trierweiler.

NFL prospect Michael Sam announces he is gay

Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam hopes to be the first openly gay player in the NFL, which is about to have its tolerance tested, ready or not.

Iran says warships headed close to U.S. borders

An Iranian fleet consisting of a destroyer and a helicopter-carrying supply ship will travel close to U.S. maritime borders for the first time, a senior Iranian naval commander said over the weekend.

Bonus! Sochi 2014: Day 3

More action from the the Winter Olympics is underway. Check out our quick takes on the big stories taking place in Sochi, Russia: http://q.usatoday.com/sochi/